What are the different types if naturalistic observations?
Controlled Observations Participant Observations Non-Participant Observations Covert Observations Overt Observations
What is a controlled observation?
Likely to be carried out in a lab
Conditions decided by researcher
What are the + and - of controlled observations?
+ More control over variables - high internal validity
+ Easy to replicate
+ Avoids ethical problems (usually)
- Awareness of being observed - demand characteristics
- Low ecological validity - place of observation is artificial
What is a participant observation?
Psychologist will actually join in the group they’re studying
What are the + and - of participant observations?
+ High ecological validity
+ Rich in detail
- May be ethical issues
- Issues with reliability - observer bias
- Less reliable as psychologist can’t write observations in real time - have to wait, thus relying on memory
What is a non-participant observation?
Researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they’re watching
What are the + and - of non-participant observations?
+ No demand characteristics
- Results can be less ecologically valid - may change behaviour as they know the psychologist is present
What is a covert observation?
Participant’s behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent
What are the + and - of a covert observation?
+ Reduced demand characteristics
+ High ecological validity
- Ethical issues
What is an overt observation?
Participant’s behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent
What are the + and - of overt observations?
+ Reliable data
+ No ethical issues
- Increased demand characteristics
What is event sampling? (Observations)
Observed every time an event occurs - decided before
What is time sampling? (Observations)
Observed during a set amount of time - decided before
What is point sampling? (Observations)
Observing and recording the behaviour which occurs at a series of given points in time - eg, meal time
